GENEVA/BEIJING, 27 April 2010 – UNAIDS applauds the decision by the Government ofChina to lift its national travel ban for people living with HIV. The news comes ahead of theopening of Shanghai Expo 2010, an international fair that is expected to attract millions ofvisitors over the next six months.

“I commend President Hu Jintao for China’s decision to remove travel restrictions based onHIV status,” said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “Punitive policies andpractices only hamper the global AIDS response. I urge all other countries with suchrestrictions to remove them as a matter of priority and urgency.

”UNAIDS strongly opposes any laws that restrict movement based on HIV-positive statusonly; such restrictions are discriminatory and do not prevent HIV transmission or protectpublic health. Further, travel restrictions have no economic justification, as people living withHIV can lead long and productive working lives.

“Every individual should have equal access to freedom of movement — regardless of HIVstatus,” said Michel Sidibe, UNAIDS Executive Director. “This is yet another example ofChina’s leadership in the AIDS response.

”Fifty one countries, territories, and areas currently impose some form of travel restriction onthe entry, stay and residence of people living with HIV based on their HIV status; fivecountries deny visas to people living with HIV for even short-term stays; and 23 countriesdeport individuals once their HIV-positive status is discovered.

In January 2010, the United States of America removed its long-standing HIV-related entry,stay and residence restrictions. Several other countries, including Namibia and the Ukraine,have recently pledged to take steps to remove such restrictions.

Contact:
UNAIDS Geneva | Saira Stewart | tel. +41 22 791 2511 | stewarts@unaids.org